Airport retreat by the Spanish?

The retreat by Spanish investors in the British airports market seems to be continuing with reports that Abertis, which owns Belfast International and Cardiff airports, and has a long term operating contract for Luton, has put them up for sale.

Belfast International competes with Belfast City for the Northern Ireland and cross border market and moved 4.3m passengers last year, a healthy 200,000 passenger rise.  With the departure of bmi, Belfast City suffered, down to 2.2m, a loss of 150,000.

At Cardiff the airport is in the process of being nationalised by the Welsh government which could set a precedent for other regional airports, vital for the local community but loss making. (see BTN 7 January)

Luton Abertis recently announced a long-term contract with the local council after duplicated expensive reviews.  A planning application is expected later this year to revamp much of the public areas, the road into the airport, and operational aspects.

With Stansted virtually sold (completion could be this week), it remains to be seen whether Heathrow Airport Holdings Ltd decides to dispose (individually or otherwise) of its Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton investments, the small Hampshire operation the most likely.  However Heathrow is now no longer Spanish but truly international. (see BTN 18 February) www.abertis.com/var/lang/en

Index/Home page
 

OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum